One man's trash is another man's...autographed trash.

     As mentioned in my introduction, I am an avid autograph collector.  When I am obtaining autographs, I am typically equipped with items for a particular person/athlete to sign.  On a wintry day in March of 2004, I was forced to resort to desperate measures in order to obtain a signature.

     On this fateful Saturday, I was at the St. Louis Mills to watch the St. Louis Blues practice.  I came well-prepared, with a binder full of cards for the Blues to sign.  Most of the players signed after practice, leaving me feeling content with my day at the rink.

     As I was leaving the Ice Zone, I saw a unfamiliar player walking through the hallway.  It was Russian superstar, Sergei Fedorov.  I quickly realized that the Anaheim Mighty Ducks were holding an afternoon practice.  Unfortunately, I had did not have any items for the team to sign.

     I decided that I would have the team sign my jacket, as I concluded that it would be better than nothing.  As the players made their way onto the ice, I noticed defenseman Keith Carney eating a quick snack, a Blueberry Nutri-Grain bar.  He tossed the wrapper on the ground and headed to the ice.  For some reason, I decided to pick-up the wrapper to keep as a souvenir.  As practice came to a close, I noticed Keith was finished with practice: I decided I wanted him to sign his Nutri-Grain wrapper.

     When I presented the wrapper for him to sign, he looked at me with a puzzled looked on his face, asking, "Is that my wrapper?"  I replied, "Yep."  He said, "Well, I guess there's a first time for everything.

     Although Keith Carney was not an All-Star talent, there is little debate that he was a decent player throughout his career.  This item is assuredly the most unique piece I have in my collection.